May 11, 2023 edition - Events, shows, and more events

TOGETHER WITH

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the weekend weather is expected to hit the high 20s, and you just happen to be living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

It’s weeks like these that the $2,700 average rent for a one-bedroom actually feels (close to being) worth it—even if you do end up spending the majority of these sunny days outside browsing a pop-up market, or checking out a pride event, or hitting up the local brewery’s now-permanent patio.

And lucky for you, you’re a subscriber of the Georgia Straight newsletter, so you’re entirely up to date on all those potential pastimes… at least you will be once you finish reading the articles below.

Now, where’d we put that sunscreen…

You might've missed:

• Lil Yachty headed to Vancouver October 21

• Vancouver Short Film Festival returns in-person on June 2

• "Art motel" founder breaks the rules to save the arts

• Kat Single-Dain consistently demolishes the fourth wall

• Try dragon boat for free on May 28 at Birds Nest Properties Community Paddling Day in Olympic Village. Register online to save your seat!*

*Sponsored Listing

FEATURE

Queering Vancouver: Activists and artists bridge the east-west divide

Vancouver’s LGBTQ2S+ community has been culturally and geographically divided between the West End and East Side for decades.

The spectrum of differences that ranges from class, gender, race, generation, and artistry have historically situated the West End as the space for white cisgender gays, with the East Side more open to women, trans, non-binary, and BIPOC members of the community.

Phoebe Fuller has the story on how activists and artists are bridging that divide.

SPONSORED BY ARTS UMBRELLA

Season Finale: Celebrating the art of dance

Join Arts Umbrella Dance Company from May 18-20 at the Vancouver Playhouse for Season Finale, a series of performances that represents the art of dance as envisioned by some of the world’s greatest choreographers, including Crystal Pite, Sharon Eyal, Aszure Barton, Johan Inger, William Forsythe, and more.

Season Finale, supported by Peeter and Mary Wesik, is part of the Expressions Festival. Expressions Festival is generously presented by RBC.

NEWS

Eastside Flea to shut up shop (for now) on June 15

Long-running pop-up market Eastside Flea will have to vacate their long-time home at 550 Malkin Ave. this summer as the building is scheduled for demolition.

Lisa Parker, operations manager, told the Straight in an email that the Flea would be running every weekend up until closing those Strathcona doors for good on June 15.

ARTS

Alex Vollant celebrates community with Chor Leoni's The Turning

For reasons that include a less-than-successful audition, Alex Vollant’s journey to the ranks of Chor Leoni wasn’t exactly what one might call a smooth one.

Today, they see the venerable Vancouver choir as family—a place that’s got them through some rough patches. Looking back, they couldn’t be more grateful that the support from the 30-year-old Vancouver institution was both immediate and unconditional.

Featured arts listings

• Purple Poetry Hour: Join Massy Arts Society and Purple Lining for Purple Poetry Hour: Poetic Rhymes + Acoustic Melodies with Like-Minded Folk, shining a spotlight on new and emerging poets. | May 11 | Free | Massy Arts

• Call Me CC: From the mind of Kat Single-Dain, Call Me CC is your chance to meet Climate Change itself, live and in person. CC is equal parts charming and disgusting, graceful and garish, irresistibly fun and coldly egotistical. | May 12 | $23 | Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret

• The Rio Theatre Burlesque & Variety Show: A copious cavalcade of top notch talent and captivating cabaret awaits at The Rio Theatre Burlesque and Variety Show, where talented performers will each do one act of their choosing. | May 13 | $30-40 | Rio Theatre

• Into the Little Hill: A Canadian premiere, this contemporary, multi-disciplinary production seamlessly fuses the “ravishing, shimmering beauty” of UK composer George Benjamin’s chamber opera with Idan Cohen’s direction and choreography. May 19-20*

• Arts in the Garden: All-ages outdoor community event celebrating nature and the arts in 13 garden spaces across the North Shore! May 27 and 28.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY ARRIETA ART STUDIO

Arrieta Art Studio offers paint nights, linocut, needle felting, and more. All ages and abilities welcome! Apply gs25 at checkout to receive 25% off all regular workshops.

Follow @arrieta_art on Instagram for new events, workshops dates, and general updates.

Register for workshops now.

MUSIC

The Halluci Nation and Fucked Up team up for Here’s The Unity Tour

This month, the Halluci Nation and Fucked Up will hit the road together on their Here’s The Unity Tour.

Damian Abraham of Fucked Up describes the whole thing as the most organic collaboration there could ever be—and it’s one rooted in a beautiful connection that feels almost fated.

Featured music events

• Matchbox Twenty: The American pop-rock quartet featuring frontman Rob Thomas will be playing Rogers Arena with guests the Wallflowers. | 7:30pm | May 16 | From $25 | Rogers Arena

• Joseph: The American folk band from Portland is at the Commodore Ballroom on May 19, with support from Flyte. | 8pm | May 19 | $27.50 | Commodore Ballroom

• The Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir is pleased to re-unite with the Saint James Music Academy for a benefit concert at Christ Church Cathedral, May 19.*

• Babygirl: The Toronto duo comprised of Kiki Frances and Cameron Bright will be performing at the Biltmore Cabaret on May 25. | May 25 | $27 | Biltmore Cabaret

• From desert blues to bluegrass, East LA son jarocho to Instagram discoveries, and so much more—the 2023 Vancouver Folk Music Festival lineup is revealed!*

• Platinum-selling alternative artist, grandson, brings the "I Love You, I'm Trying" tour to Vancouver on August 2. With Monowhales and No Love For The Middle Child.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY TOURISM WHISTLER

Wake up from winter to longer days and endless ways to fill them.

Spring in Whistler is multi-sport season with hiking, biking, skiing, and deep relaxation. Add in spring dining specials and great value on accommodation and you have yourself the perfect spring getaway.

THE REST

Superflux announces permanent patio area

Outdoor patio seats aren’t totally a new thing at Superfulx, which is as noted for both its traditional lagers and IPAs as its outside-the-box offerings like the orange-cream Fountainbier and the Indulgeousness (a Nanaimo Bar-inspired stout with strong notes of coconut and Tahitian vanilla).

If you've been there on a sunny day you know that outdoor picnic tables are already a thing, even if they are often full.

The news here is the 780-square-foot space has now been designated as permanent by the City of Vancouver.

The Rest of the events

• VBGA Plant Sale: With over 5,000 plants for sale, food trucks, interactive activities for all ages, and local plant experts giving plant care advice, the VBGA Plant Sale is a must-attend for all plant lovers. | May 13 | Free | Queen Elizabeth Park

• Mother's Day pop-up: Shop the newest handmade jewelry collection by Standout Boutique to discover the ideal Mother's Day presents. | May 13 | Free | Ari Beauty

• The countdown is on! Only one week left to get tickets for the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. Join the fun this May long weekend!*

• Canada’s largest Bubble Tea Festival is returning to Burnaby Swangard Stadium with more vendors and excitements. Visit the official website for detailed event information!*

• The Monumental Scandals Tour: Explore downtown Vancouver’s most famous heritage buildings as you discover the scandals that hide behind their walls. | To Oct. 31 | $29 | Outside Old Navy at Robson and Granville

• Don’t let a driving prohibition ruin your life. The lawyers at Acumen Law Corporation have successfully defended thousands of DUI/IRP cases. Learn more at VancouverCriminalLaw.com.*

*Sponsored Listing